2015 Favorites: Best Books

Now, time to list my 15 favorite books of 2015! Check them all out below!

1. Everything, Everything (Nicola Yoon)

“I was trying so hard to find the single pivotal moment that set my life on its path. The moment that answered the question, ‘How did I get here?’

But it’s never just one moment. It’s a series of them. And your life can branch out from each one in a thousand different ways. Maybe there’s a version of your life for all the choices you make and all the choices you don’t.”

Everything, and I mean, EVERYTHING, about this book is beautiful. You know, you’d think it’s one of those usual stories but it’s definitely on a league of its own. It’s beautiful, heartbreaking, and there are a lot of unexpected moments that will make you swoon, cry, and basically just gasp and take a lot of deep breaths. I’m a really forgetful person but this one? I know it would stay with me for a long, long time.

 

2. All The Bright Places (Jennifer Niven)

“She is oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, calcium, and phosphorus. The same elements that are inside the rest of us, but I can’t help thinking she’s more than that and she’s got other elements going on that no one’s ever heard of, ones that make her stand apart from everybody else.”

I read this early this year, before it became big, and I’m glad I did because it’s just one of the most beautiful and heartbreaking, cry-worthy books I’ve read all my life. I’m glad it also talks about Depression in such a way that makes it understandable for those who don’t. I’m just basically glad for the beauty that is this book. The author’s also working on the movie’s screenplay so that’s something to look forward to.

3. The Good Girl (Mary Kubica)

“I know how betrayal and disillusionment feel, when someone who could give you the world refuses even a tiny piece of it.”

Mary Kubica is one of my favorite authors right now because she writes soooo well. Like, seriously. I’m a fan of crazy suspense/crime thrillers and she nails it. She knows how to do it. This book certainly proved that.

4. Another Day (David Levithan)

“That has to be what love is – seeing what a mess he is and loving him anyway, because you know you’re a mess, too, maybe even worse.”

There were lots of bad reviews for this book but I liked it not just because I love David Levithan, but also because it’s good to be in Rhiannon’s shoes. So heartbreaking and painful. I wouldn’t choose what’s better between this one and Every Day because I love them both.

5. The Status of All Things (Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke)

“A very wise person once told me marriage is hard, that you have to keep fighting for it everyday.”

One word: Facebook. It’s so witty and it has that Sophie Kinsella/Alexandra Potter feel.

6. Pretty Baby (Mary Kubica)

“Momma used to say, “We don’t have much, but at least we have each other.” And then one day, we didn’t even have that much.”

Another Kubica! Pretty Baby is really crazy but great. Read it and you’d know what I mean.

7. Hallowed (Tonya Hurley)

I love the Precious Blood series and this was such a fitting ending. But I still want mooooooore

8. Down The Rabbit Hole (Holly Madison)

“Maybe I wasn’t defined by the mistakes I had made after all . . . maybe those decisions were what allowed me to become the person I was always destined to be.”

Didn’t know much about Holly except for Girls Next Door, but I really enjoyed this book. She is a survivor and no matter what you say, I’m glad things worked out for her.

9. Finding Audrey (Sophie Kinsella)

“I think what I’ve realized is, life is all about climbing up, slipping down, and picking yourself up again. And it doesn’t matter if you slip down. As long as you’re kind of heading more or less upwards. That’s all you can hope for. More or less upwards.”

This book nailed what anxiety feels like to a T. It’s Sophie’s first YA offering and she did it so well. So beautiful.

10. P.S. I Still Love You (Jenny Han)

“There’s a Korean word my grandma taught me. It’s called jung. It’s the connection between two people that can’t be severed, even when love turns to hate. You still have those old feelings for them; you can’t ever completely shake them loose of you; you will always have tenderness in your heart for them.”

The ending to the Song Sisters series. Oh man, the rollercoaster of emotions this brought me!

11. Carry On (Rainbow Rowell)

“Sharing a room with the person you want most is like sharing a room with an open fire.

He’s constantly drawing you in. And you’re constantly stepping too close. And you know it’s not good–that there is no good–that there’s absolutely nothing that can ever come of it.

But you do it anyway.
And then…
Well. Then you burn.”

Harry Potter. Twilight. Fanfics. Fangirl. EVERYTHING.

12. Leaving Time (Jodi Picoult)

“I wonder if, as you get older, you stop missing people so fiercely. Maybe growing up is just focusing on what you’ve got, instead of what you don’t.” 

Dark, sad, beautiful, unforgettable.

13. My Heart and Other Black Holes (Jasmine Warga)

“Depression is like a heaviness that you can’t ever escape. It crushes down on you, making even the smallest things like tying your shoes or chewing on toast seem like a twenty-mile hike uphill. Depression is a part of you; it’s in your bones and your blood. If I know anything about it, this is what I know: It’s impossible to escape.”

Again: Depression. Suicide. I love how it does not sugarcoat things. It’s heartbreaking. It’s fearless. It’s beautiful.

14. Pretending to be Erica (Michelle Painchaud)

I just like how it was written; how enjoyable and entertaining and painful it was.

15. This is Where I Leave You (Jonathan Tropper)

“I may not be old but I’m too old to have this much nothing”

I’m pretty sure this was not released this year but only read it a couple of months ago and it had a really big impact on me. I always like complicated, intertwining stories. I like this novel’s humor and wit—and the characters, too!

She Flies with Faeries Reviews: BLISS by Shay Mitchell and Michaela Blaney

Title: Bliss

Authors: Shay Mitchell and Michaela Blaney with Valerie Frenkel

My Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

Sophia Marcus, 21, has already mapped out every aspect of her glamorous life as a Hollywood actor on her vision board. But her life right now in Toronto is anything but exciting. Attending fruitless auditions during the day and working at a douche-y club at night, Sophia is starting to feel like she’s going nowhere…slowly.

Demi Michaels, Sophia’s best friend, didn’t go to college after high school. Short of ideas for her own future, she puts her energy into building the perfect relationship with an older man. And when that relationship crashes and burns, Demi is left to pick up the pieces.

Sophia’s friend (and Demi’s frenemy) Leandra Hunting doesn’t give a crap about hard work or a loving relationship. She has other plans for her future. After college graduation, Leandra sets out to travel the world in the yachts, planes and limos of ridiculously wealthy men. Will any of them be able to show her what love really means–if she can take off her Chanel sunglasses long enough to see it?

Set in the exotic, intoxicating worlds of Hollywood, Thailand, and London, Bliss paints a relatable portrait of life in your early twenties with equal parts optimism and fear, hope and disappointment, expectation and reality. It’s the Age of Uncertainty when you can count on nothing, but, if you’re lucky enough to have one truly great friend, you can survive just about anything.

---

If you knew me, you probably already know that I do like Pretty Little Liars (even though it’s quite crazy and well, you know what it is), and I actually like checking out the first novels of celebrities (because why not?) just to see how it goes.

Well, Shay Mitchell’s BLISS actually had a nice blurb so I thought, why not?

Let’s start with the good stuff first:

1. I thought the book actually had good premise. 3 Friends, interwoven stories, growing up and what-not. That’s basically my kind of thing, you know?
2. Well, upon reading the book I realized it was pretty nice. Nothing too poetic and prose was not deep, BUT, it was quite enjoyable—especially if you’re looking for a good, light read. It reminded me of Dorothy Koomsoon, early Alexandra Potter, some Lauren Weisberger, etc.
3. I like the imagery! This book takes you places, at least figuratively. You have Vancouver, Phuket, London, etc.
4. I’d say somehow, it was also realistic because it deals with issues that 20-somethings usually deal with right now, too—just a bit more exaggerated, though…

Then, the not so good:

1. Uhm, the characters were pretty much all over the place. For 20-somethings, they’re quite immature(!), but hey, a lot of us 20-somethings aka Millenials also probably don’t know what we’re doing. My only problem is that the way it was written made me feel like they could have been more—like there was more to explore but those things just were not explored. I wished the characters actually had more depth. L
2. A couple of stereotypes. (i.e., tourists being scammed, spoiled little rich girls, etc.) They were just passé.
3. There were times when the story itself felt like it was all over the place, especially near the end and you just wish the authors would just get straight to the point already.

But here’s the thing: For a first novel, this was actually good, and I might be reading part 2, if there was any. So, yeah, over-all, it’s still worth-reading—especially if you need a light read—and something you’d be able to relate to.

She Flies with Faeries Reviews: CARRY ON by Rainbow Rowell

Title: Carry On

Author: Rainbow Rowell

My Rating: 4/5 Stars

Rainbow Rowell continues to break boundaries with Carry On, an epic fantasy following the triumphs and heartaches of Simon and Baz from her beloved bestseller Fangirl.

Simon Snow just wants to relax and savor his last year at the Watford School of Magicks, but no one will let him. His girlfriend broke up with him, his best friend is a pest, and his mentor keeps trying to hide him away in the mountains where maybe he’ll be safe. Simon can’t even enjoy the fact that his roommate and longtime nemesis is missing, because he can’t stop worrying about the evil git. Plus there are ghosts. And vampires. And actual evil things trying to shut Simon down. When you’re the most powerful magician the world has ever known, you never get to relax and savor anything.

Carry On is a ghost story, a love story, a mystery and a melodrama. It has just as much kissing and talking as you’d expect from a Rainbow Rowell story — but far, far more monsters.

***

Rainbow Rowell is one of those authors whose works I’d always–ALWAYS–read. And CARRY ON, for starters, is one of those stories that I’ve waited for ever since it was announced that she was going to write it–not just as part of FANGIRL (which is one of my favorite books, ever), but on its own.

Here’s a little backstory, if you haven’t read FANGIRL. CARRY ON is this story that Cath and Wren made a fanfiction of. So, it’s basically a story within a story, which made it so cool and captivating.

You see, CARRY ON is like a mix of Harry Potter and Twilight in its own dreamworld; in its own reality. It’s not trying to pretend to be something else. It’s about finding the CHOSEN ONE, slaying dragons, falling in love with vampires, living in a world full of magic–which definitely made it an easy read. It’s one of those books you’d want to get lost in, especially when you’re feeling like this world is dampening your spirits yet again.

Let’s see. Well, I’d have to say, CARRY ON kind of started out as too “meta” for me. I was like, I’m pretty sure I already know what I’m getting, especially because there were bits of it in FANGIRL. But what’s great about this book is that the author was able to explore its world, and give us more of it in return.

I’d have to admit, there were parts in the beginning where I felt a bit bored–until ta-daaaa this mysterious character suddenly appeared out of nowhere. Oh, and that’s one of those things I like about this book, too, mind you: the fact that it’s told in different perspectives. I always like stories like that because it helps me get in the head of various characters, and not just one of them.

Okay, so, mysterious character started talking and I was like, What fresh hell is this? (sorry, obsessed with Scream Queens right now) and well, it was also nice getting in Baz’s head. That vampire is probably one of my favorite vampires right now–or ever–because he’s sexy, he’s dapper, he’s…well, he could be arrogant, and that’s what makes you like the banter between him and Simon Snow.

I thought there was a lack of banter and connection between the two in the first few parts of the book, which I would have wanted to see. Buildup was slow but man, once it started happening, it just couldn’t end and I swear, you’ll totally swoon (I sure did). Baz and Snow have this unique dynamic. I’m not a DRARRY shipper but I could totally feel them between these two (haha!) and you’d just love to read more. Their arguments are cute, but what’s better is how their feelings for each other unfolded; how we get to see them fall in love, and just get lost in it–while still trying to fight it.

Their love story is complicated, and it doesn’t help that the whole Magickal world is complicated, too–but there in lies the promise. There were betrayals. There were points when you’d feel like Oh god, that was not supposed to happen, and it would break your heart.

Another thing I like about this is that we got to see how each of the characters chose their own endings; how they didn’t just let the world trick them, and we get to understand why they made the choices their made. I guess, this book holds a lot of answers–which is good, considering I don’t know if we’re getting part 2.

All in all, CARRY ON is truly captivating. You’ll swoon, you’ll smile, you’ll laugh…maybe, even cry. But what’s important is that you’ll feel for each of the characters. You’ll root for them. And, well, they’ll help you CARRY ON. 

The Ultimate Harry Potter Tag

So…I’ve been inspired by Fandoms on the Run and decided to do this tag, too! As you know, I’m a big Potterhead so this is pretty much a given :D

1) Favourite book?
Goblet of Fire and Deathly Hallows.

2) Least favourite book?
Ugh this is hard. Maybe, Half-Blood Prince? I just have not reread it as much as I have reread the rest.

3) Favourite movie?
PRISONER OF AZKABAN!!!!

4) Least favourite movie?
Again, Half-Blood Prince. It just didn’t show the depth of the book. Also GOF was wrong on so many levels. I mean, hello, “CALMLY”….

5) Favourite quote?
“You’re not going mad. I can see them too. You’re just as sane as I am”

Also “Happiness can be found in the darkest of times–if one only remembers to turn on the light” 

6) Favourite Weasley?
The Twins.

7) Favourite female character?
Luna Lovegood, for sure.

8) Favourite villain.
Bellatrix. She IS exceptional. (But I’d never forgive her for killing Dobby)

9) Favourite male character?
It would be a toss between Remus Lupin and Sirius Black. I love my Marauders. <3 Also, I have a soft spot for Bill.

10) Favourite professor?
LUPIN!!!!

11) Would you rather A) wash Snape’s hair or B) spend a day listening to Lockhart rant about himself?
Probably just listen to Lockhart (what?! He’s cute lol). I don’t like washing other people’s hair.

12) Would you rather duel A) an elated Bellatrix or B) and angry Molly?
An elated Bellatrix, for sure. She’s easily distracted that way.

13) Would you rather travel to Hogwarts via A) Hogwarts Express or B) Flying Car?
Hogwarts Express. You have no idea how much I’ve fantasized for that for so long.

14) Would you rather A) Kiss Voldemort or B) give Umbridge a bubble bath?
I’d rather kiss Voldy. WHO EVEN LIKES UMBRIDGE?!!!!

15) Would you rather A) ride a Hippogriff or B) ride a Firebolt?
Hippogriff. Not a fan of brooms.

16) Is there a character you felt differently about in the movies?
Ginny. Movie Ginny just didn’t give justice to Book Ginny—and it’s not Bonnie Wright’s fault okay.

17) Is there a movie you preferred to the book?
Azkaban. But I love it just as much as the book.

18) Richard Harris or Michael Gambon as Dumbledore?
I actually like Michael Gambon better.

 

19) Your top thing (person or event) that wasn’t in the movie that you wanted there the most?
PEEEEEVES. Most of GOF. Plus Luna, Ollivander, and Dean in Shell Cottage—more of it. Fleur staying at the Burrow. Fleur and Molly making up. There were just so many things from GOF and HBP that I wished were there. AND REAL GINNY! Oh, and Dudley apologizing to Harry. Well, there’s a floating deleted scene out there that you can watch but I wished they added it in the final cut.

20) If you could remake any of the Harry Potter movies which would it be?
GOF. Definitely.

21 Which house was your first gut feeling you’d be a part of?
Ravenclaw.

22) Which house were you actually sorted into on Pottermore?
Slytherin, and you know what? I’ve come to understand why.

23) Which class would be your favourite?
History of Magic, Transfiguration, Divination (why not?), DADA

24) Which spell do you think would be most useful to learn?
Avada Kedavra lol jk. Maybe Accio and Lumos/Nox. Also Stupefy.

25) Which character do you think you’d instantly become friends with?
LUNA. NEVILLE. Maybe Ron.

26) If you could own one of the three Hallows, which would it be?
The Elder Wand.

27) Is there any aspect of the books you’d want to change?
Probably that Harry should have ended up with Luna.

28) Favourite Marauder?
Sirius and Remus.

29) If you could bring one character back to life, which would it be?
SIRIUS. He deserves a second chance to be happy—and FREE. His death still pains me. ALSO DOBBY.

30) Hallows or Horcruxes?
Hallows. I am not comfortable with the idea of splitting my soul, thank you very much.

Any Potterheads out there? Let’s talk! :) And feel free to do this, too!

She Flies with Faeries Reviews: LEARNING TO FALL by Mina V. Esguerra

Title: Learning to Fall

Author: Mina V. Esguerra

My Rating: 4/5 Stars

Grab your copy HERE

“Go out with a stereotypical romance novel hero WHO ISN’T YOUR TYPE.”

Avid reader and art student Steph is participating in a monthly blog challenge to Live Like Fiction, and this was the task for October. When Grayson, former co-captain of her university rugby team, walks into her class, she knows it’s meant to be – she has to go out with this guy. Even if she’s never been attracted to big, hunky, athletic types. With Grayson’s “player” reputation off the field, Steph thinks he’ll be good for one date that’ll be worth blogging about, and that’s it.

But you know how it goes: Soon, it becomes more than just one date – and Steph and Grayson are caught up in “living like fiction.” How long can they keep playing their roles before reality steps in?

---

What do you get when you mix a hot rugby player with an artistic book blogger? You get a sexy, scorching combination, that is.

LEARNING TO FALL tells the story of Steph, a book blogger slash Arts student who meets this hot, sexy, and witty guy. Well, hot, sexy, and witty guy is really not a problem, except Steph’s distracted enough already.

However, fate comes into play when she joins this monthly blog challenged entitled Live Like Fiction. What does she have to do? Well, go out with someone who isn’t her type, that is.

I have to say, Grayson is like, one of the hottest love interests I’ve ever encountered in a book. Not to mention, he has the right brand of humor to go along with it. I also enjoyed his banter with Steph: how he almost always catches her off-guard, and how he challenges her to be a better student, and a better person.

Sure, you may have heard of the one date and it’s over trope before, but what makes this different is the fact that Steph is not one of those flaky, weak characters. She is strong on her own, and she knows how to deal with her man. Of course, there were times when her complexities hit her, but that’s just a normal part of life–which is another thing I loved about this book: how it’s almost unreal, and yet, somehow, you feel like it actually could happen.

Here’s another thing: this book will challenge you. I mean, it will keep you thinking about what could happen in your life if you actually take chances that you’re often to shy, or too hesitant to take. It’s not just about blog challenges; it’s about those important moments in your life; the ones that matter, even without looking like it in the beginning. It’ll remind you that in life, you do have to make decisions—your own decisions–because you could actually be in control of your life.

You’re the one who makes your life what it is–and that’s the best thing you could take away from Steph and Grayson.

LEARNING TO FALL certainly ended with a bang. Read it all the way through. Who knows? Maybe, you’d find your own Grayson, too!